The loss of Paws to Tail in the Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley earlier this year left a void for those dog and cat owners depending on the shop for its natural, holistic and organic raw, dry and canned pet foods and treats.

Paws of Tail's former manager Julie E. Van Vliet bought much of the shop's stock and opened Doggy Dao & Cat's Meow at 1238 Main St., Hellertown.

This marks the latest merchant to discover Hellertown, which has had some substantial retail news in the last year.

The 2,600-square-foot space is larger than Paws to Tail, providing room for dog-training classes, information sessions and other activities with instructors and veterinarians.

Van Vliet, of Center Valley, said she was drawn to Hellertown in part by its growing retail scene.

Indeed, the borough has seen a lot retail growth in the last year or so. That includes a Dunkin' Donuts in a former bank building and distributor Frankie V's Beer & Soda,Cafe Erica and Bella's Ristorante at the former Java Queen Coffee House and Secrets salon space in the 600 block of Main Street.

There's more on the horizon since I got word a high-end consignment shop could be coming to the borough.

There's still work to be done on the scene since The Movies building, the landmark art deco-style structure, remains an eye-catching vacancy on busy Main Street.

Surprised I didn't start the column with yet more restaurant news? That doesn't necessarily mean a lack of such news. In fact, I have a bit more:

Griddle 145, a comfort-food eatery, opened just days ago at the former Musashi Japanese Restaurant space at 1146 MacArthur Road, Whitehall Township.

Owners Taylor and Sherry Eisenhard did a major upgrade to the interior and exterior of the single-story building recognizable by its large chimney, which was previously painted bright yellow.

Lunch includes a half dozen specialty burgers, a large selection of sandwiches like the classic club, pulled pork, and fishy Sammy, a panko-crusted cod topped with coleslaw and a citrus yogurt sauce. There are also salads, soups and specialties like fish tacos, ultimate nachos, and whole wheat veggie pitas.

Griddle 145 gives new life to a space that has seen a lot of churn after about a decade of stability when it housed the popular Musashi.

Noodle-inspired Chinese restaurant Dragon Noodle shuttered just weeks after opening at the space late last year. Dragon Noodle was preceded by Hana Japanese Cuisine, which closed in less than a year, in addition to a few buffets that lasted only months before going dark.

It was not immediately known why the fast-food restaurant closed. Efforts to reach a spokeswoman at Sonic's headquarters in Oklahoma were unsuccessful.

The Quakertown restaurant's Facebook page offers no explanation but is peppered with consumers seeking answers. The Quakertown location, at 139 North West End Blvd., has also been removed from Sonic's website.

The closure shows some local retrenching by the popular chain known for its quirky television commercials, non-alcoholic happy hour drink specials and waiters roller-skating food to your car.

Last year, Sonic stopped plans to build a location at the former Hamburger Stand on Allentown's Fourth Street.

The Quakertown Sonic opened in April 2010. Sonic opened its inaugural Lehigh Valley spot on Route 248 in 2008. That was followed with locations on Airport Road in Hanover Township, Lehigh County, and Route 22 in Phillipsburg.